January 29, 2010

Cinnamon. Roll. Cake. Can you believe I only made this for the first time a few weeks ago? There's no excuse for my behavior--it's completely unacceptable. To ignore such a magnificent and effortless creation is a travesty, plain and simple. As punishment, I should be force-fed more cake. That'll teach me.

All right, so it doesn't really taste like a cinnamon roll--there's no bready, yeasty characteristic of which to speak. In fact, upon my first bite, I immediately likened it to the warm cinnamon roll shooters from Chili's. Have you tried them? As far as I can tell, those little cups of heaven consist of layers of streuseled coffee cake and cinnamon-powdered sugar glaze. (Not a bad idea, right? Kudos, Chili's!)

Even though this cake is clearly different from your standard cinnamon roll in texture and flavor, it's similar in that cinnamon is the star (as it should be). When you hit a pocket of that sugary cinnamon streusel while also getting a taste of the cake and glaze, the result is a perfect sweet and spicy bite.

Did I like this? I think it's fairly obvious that the answer is a resounding YES.

Preheat oven to 325F and grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.Mix the first four ingredients by hand and pour into the prepared pan.In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it over the cake batter. Swirl decoratively with a knife.Bake for 40-50 minutes and let it cool briefly before adding the icing.To make the icing, stir together the sugar and milk until smooth, adding more milk as needed. Pour over the warm cake.

How come I'm not surprised this dessert found it's way on to such a cinnamon lover's blog? I love the idea of a cinnamon roll/cake combo and this is the first time I've seen it...looks moist and delish.

I'm always amazed at how versatile a box of yellow cake mix can be. Some of my favorite desserts have started with that as a base. Boxed mixes get a bad rap in my opinion. Re: your cake, can't believe I haven't seen this before! I'm droooooling! I enjoy cinnamon rolls but often find them too dry/bready for my tastes. I think you've officially solved my problem. Happy weekend :)

Cinnamon roll cake? How have I missed this? And I wonder if I can get through the snow to go buy a cake mix??? Or would it be wrong to have cake for breakfast?? If it's wrong I don't wanna be right! ;)

Some of my best recipes are made with Duncan Hines golden cake mix! I call this recipe Martha's Coffee Cake as she is one who gave me the recipe years ago. I've never put frosting on it though. Not sure I am thanking you for that addition!

This recipe totally ROCKS!!! And I have many people to second this. I like to make it with a cream cheese frosting, like the one off the"Clone of a Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls" recipe off of allrecipes.com. SOOOOO GOOOOODDDD!!!!!

Wow, I am in awe! This is the first I've seen this magnificent creation, and I can say that there's just no excuse for my behavior either! I think my punishment should be to go and make it...right now! ;)

Oh my heavens! This is my kinda recipe! (I made a Sock-It-To-Me-Cake last month with a "boxed" cake mix and you couldn't tell the difference) My morning coffee is feeling might "naked" without your heavenly cinnamon roll to keep it company.

I have this recipe and just realized it. My recipe is called Sour Cream Coffeecake. I usually make it for brunch and you are right it is easy and too good to be true. By the way, I saw that you too are participating in the new blogger's mentoring program. I can't wait!

Mmmm! The base for this cake sounds much like the recipe for "Better Than Sex Cake" that my aunt's friends were passing around twenty-five years ago. That was made with grated German Chocolate and Chocolate Chips instead of brown sugar and cinnamon. Personally, I think I prefer the Cinnamon Roll spin. Wouldn't last long around here!

Yum---full on agree with you regarding those cinnamon roll shooters from Chili's. We got the sampler after dinner one evening & that was my very favorite. If this cake tates ANYTHING like those, I'm all in!

Oh, YAY! You liked it! I'm glad! Yours looks great and you know what? I'm making two tomorrow. One of the twins has a teacher that asked him if I would make a couple. I, of course said yes, gotta stay on their good side, right?!

Btw, have you seen those cinnamon roll griddlecakes over at Inn Cuisine? :)

Also, here's that link I promised you for those quick and easy no wait, no yeast cinnamon rolls.http://www.baseballbakingandbooks.com/2009/11/cinnamon-roll-success-new-traditions.html~ingrid

As I am from Scotland, there are lots! Most famous are haggis and shortbread, but thee is also Arbroath Smokies, Dundee Cake, Ayrshire potatoes(which you boil and have with butter and spring onions), Kirriemuir Gingerbread, and Butteries(a kind of flat, salty roll) from Aberdeen.

Soo...yesterday, a co-worker requested something baked from me for her birthday....something she could take on a road trip. I made this, this morning, and brought it to her. It smelled incredible (I could smell it all the way to work...a 40 minute drive just so ya know)....and I got a teeny tiny taste...and OMG!!! YUM! Totally cinnamon roll cake. LOVE IT!! just thought you'd wanna know :)

@Alison: Oh, I absolutely think this could be turned into cupcakes! The glaze is thin, so it might pour right over the sides of each cake, so maybe try to make it a little thicker. Now I'm curious myself!!